By: Kristen Jadin, NYSPHSAA Assistant Director

LATHAM, NY- The New York State Public High School Athletic Association (NYSPHSAA) is proud to announce Port Byron High School (Section III), Cleveland Hill High School (Section VI), Oceanside High School (Section VIII) and Shelter Island School (Section XI) as its winners of the 2022-2023 Sportsmanship Promotion program. This year marks the 27^th year that deserving schools have been recognized by NYSPHSAA’s Sportsmanship Promotion program.

The award is presented to schools who have developed proactive approaches in keeping sportsmanship in the forefront with their students, coaches, spectators, and communities.  A total of 263 schools submitted the Sportsmanship Promotion Survey to NYSPHSAA and 49 schools were chosen by their Sections as plaque winners. The four schools selected as banner award winners, as chosen by the NYSPHSAA, will be presented a banner at their school during a ceremony on a date and time of their choosing.

ABOUT THE WINNING SCHOOLS:
Port Byron High School – Section III
Port Byron is being awarded a Sportsmanship Promotion Banner for the first time in school history. Port Byron takes the initiative if there is inappropriate behavior by a fan by meeting with that spectator to review the incident and discuss ways in which all parties can move forward in a positive manner. Port Byron also has its students read the sportsmanship card before each contest, makes arrangements to greet other teams, recognizes visiting team seniors on Senior Night, and extends a personal thank you on site to officials after each contest.

“A primary goal for coaches is to help young student-athletes develop into happy, productive, and well-adjusted members of society.  Good sportsmanship in the face of adversity teaches resilience and is a characteristic that will benefit these young student-athletes as they face their own individual challenges in life,” said Michael Hermann, Port Byron Athletic Coordinator. “We're proud to be recognized for the efforts of our coaches to promote good sportsmanship, and for the good sportsmanship displayed by our athletes.”
 
Cleveland Hill High School – Section VI
Cleveland Hill is also a first-time winner of the Sportsmanship Promotion Banner Award. The Cleveland Hill Athletic Department partners with Cross Training Athletics to run a “character” program for all teams throughout the year. Sportsmanship is a primary focus of this training program. Each coach gets a "character playbook" as well as digital tools (videos, mini lessons, short stories) to share with their teams.  At the end of the season, a team winner is selected as well as one overall yearly winner (male and female).

“Extracurricular opportunities are an essential part of students’ development and identity. It is vital for our leadership to model appropriate behavior and address any issues before they escalate,” said Jason Przybysz, Cleveland Hill Director of Athletics, Physical Education, and Health. “Our goal is to make the athletic experience enjoyable for everyone.  We want our athletes and coaches to be supported, the officials to be respected for the position they hold and decisions they make, and our athletic events be a positive gathering place for the student body, alumni, families, and community.”

Oceanside High School – Section VIII
For the first time in school history, Oceanside High School has been chosen as a Sportsmanship Promotion Banner winner. Sportsmanship is a primary focus at Oceanside and each year the athletic department honors a student-athlete on each team with a sportsmanship award. Additionally, the athletic department takes additional steps if there are any issues with fan behavior, resulting in a meeting with the Athletic Director (AD) to address behavior. This meeting is required before re-entry is permitted. The school also suggests coaches, students, and parents take the NFHS Sportsmanship course and the NFHS Bullying, Hazing, and Inappropriate Behavior course. Lastly, the AD discusses diversity, equity and inclusion in preseason parent/student-athlete/coach meetings.

“Sportsmanship is about more than just winning or losing. It is about respecting your opponents, teammates, the coaches, the officials, and the game itself. When student-athletes, coaches, and spectators work together to set the standard of excellence, great things can be accomplished.” said Tom Lehman, Oceanside High School Director of Athletics. “I thank the entire Oceanside Community for upholding the core values of respect, accountability, and support for all student-athletes, coaches, opponents, and officials, all while promoting fair play. Your collective efforts have allowed our district to be honored and recognized.”

Shelter Island School – Section XI
For the second time in school history and the second consecutive year, Shelter Island School has been chosen as a Sportsmanship Promotion Banner winner. Shelter Island has not had any student-athlete, coach, or fan ejections since 2014, a testament to the dedication to sportsmanship by the district. Additionally, the Athletic Department honors the best examples of sportsmanship by athletes with an award each year.

“We are extremely humbled and honored by being named a New York State Public High School Athletic Association Sportsmanship Banner Winner for a second consecutive year. This honor is a credit to the intentional focus on sportsmanship by Shelter Island UFSD, Section XI, and NYSPHSAA that is executed every day by our student-athletes, coaches, event workers, and fans,” said Todd Gulluscio, Shelter Island School Director of Athletics, Physical Education, Health, Wellness and Personnel. “I'm very proud of all who are involved with our athletic program that made this possible and grateful to the NYSPHSAA for their recognition.”

Past Sportsmanship Promotion Banner Award Winners:
2022 -  Frederick Law Olmsted (Section VI)
             James I. O’Neill (Section IX)
             Lisbon Central School (Section X)
             Shelter Island School (Section XI)
2021 -  Amsterdam High School (Section 2)
             Brockport High School (Section V)
             Lisbon Central School (Section X)
2020 -   Columbia High School (Section 2)
              Lisbon Central School (Section X)
              Center Moriches High School (Section XI)                  
2019 -   Columbia High School (Section 2)
               Arlington High School (Section I)  
2018 – Columbia High School (Section 2)
              Franklin High School (Section V)
              Islip High School (Section XI)      
              West Genesee High School (Section III)

The complete list of previous Sportsmanship Promotion banner winners can be found on the Sportsmanship page of the NYSPHSAA website.
 
About NYSPHSAA (Twitter: @NYSPHSAA | Facebook: NYSPHSAA | YouTube: NYSPHSAASports):
The New York State Public High School Athletic Association Inc. is a non-profit, voluntary, educational service organization composed of public, parochial, and private schools dedicated to providing equitable and safe competition for the students of its member schools. The organization conducts 34 championship events and governs the rules and regulations of high school athletics in New York State. Membership is open to secondary schools providing interschool athletic activities for boys and girls in grades 7-12.